MARTIN ALLEN'S dreams of a play-off final at Wembley remained on hold last night.

In the last game at Gay Meadow - Shrewsbury's home for 97 years - the MK Dons boss looked to make it third time lucky in the play-offs after two unsuccessful campaigns with Brentford.

But the Shrews dug deep to frustrate Allen's men as both sides drew a blank. Centre-back Kelvin Langmead headed Jude Stirling's effort off the line in a frantic first 45 minutes watched by a 7,126 crowd, while Dons keeper Ademole Bankole acrobatically saved Derek Asamoah's goal-bound overhead kick.

The Dons, the favourites who host the second leg on Friday, were causing problems from set-pieces and after Drissa Diallo had flicked on a huge throw-in from Stirling, Jon-Paul McGovern saw his goalbound effort blocked.